No decision on whether UF game will be played

GAINESVILLE – No decision was made on Sunday on how Florida and Idaho will handle the results of Saturday night’s game, which was called off after just one play because of unfit playing conditions.

The Gators came into the game with the nation’s second-longest opening game win streak (24 games) but lost their final seven games in the 2013 season to finish 4-8.

A statement released by the schooll said, “If the game is resumed, it will begin with the same time remaining and under the identical conditions of down, distance, field position and player eligibility.”

Valdez Showers returned the opening kickoff 64 yards on the only play of the game. The contest was then stopped for the second time — after just 10 seconds ran off the game clock — because of lightning strikes in the area and never resumed.

The 7 p.m. kickoff was also delayed for two hours, 48 minutes because of lightning. A steady downpour also resulted. The game finally started at 9:52 p.m. but was stopped again and 30 minutes later officials determined the field was unplayable.

“It’s unfortunate that the weather didn’t cooperate for tonight’s season opener,” UF coach Will Muschamp said in a statement released by UF. “After long discussions with the head referee, it was determined that the field conditions were too dangerous for the student-athletes.”

According to SEC rules, play is not allowed if lightning is detected within eight miles of the stadium. Play can’t begin or resume until 30 minutes after the last lightning strike.

Idaho’s contract calls for a $975,000 pay day. Having a game called because of playing conditions is not specified in the contract between the two schools signed in 2009. There’s speculation the game may not be made up because the two teams have an open date on Oct. 25 but it is the week between the Missouri and Georgia games — which could be a critical break with two key SEC contests following the Georgia game against Vanderbilt and South Carolina with no other breaks in the league schedule.

UF couldn’t play the game any other time during the regular season with no other open dates after a Sept. 27 open date between Alabama on Sept. 20 and Tennessee on Oct. 4 — both on the road. Idaho hosts South Alabama on Sept. 27 and would have to make some adjustments in its own contract with a visiting team.

The Vandals also have a Nov. 22 open date but Florida hosts Eastern Kentucky that Saturday.

The last time weather impacted the completion of a Gators game was in 2007 when the last eight-plus minutes were not played in Florida’s 49-3 win.